Cache Valley Gay-Straight Alliance holds 2016 Gender Blender with Cosplay theme
On Jan. 23 the Cache Valley Gay-Straight Alliance held their annual gender blender event to help fund raise money for the Utah State University Love Is For Everyone (USU LIFE). The theme for this year’s event was Cosplay.
The LGBT community from all over Northern Utah were able to attend the event dressed in either Cosplay or drag apparel. In attendance at the event were three of the Empresses and an Emperor involved in The Imperial Rainbow Court of Northern Logan.
The Imperial Rainbow Court is just one of hundreds of courts across North America whose primary goal is to further relationships with organizations and businesses within their community, to hold functions and fundraisers for the enjoyment of the community, to raise money for charitable organizations and to help those in the community who are in need of assistance.
“I haven’t been to this event in years but when I came before it was an absolute blast and I am excited for tonight,” said Lady Delish, Empress 16 on the Imperial Rainbow Court.
During the event, the Empresses performed in a drag show to help raise money for USU LIFE. In addition to their show, other people dressed in drag were also invited to come up and perform. However, not everyone was impressed with the performances.
“Some of them were a little too sexualized than what I think a drag show normally is… it feels more like a strip tease. The members of the Royal Court did a great job at performing real drag, though,” said Duckie, one of the drag queens attending the event.
In addition to the show, all members who attended the event were entered in a raffle where they had the chance to win LIFE apparel and anyone who dressed up was also entered into a completion for either Best Costume, Drag Prince, Drag Princess, Drag King or Drag Queen.
“Tonight especially will be a good event for allies to attend. We expect to have a lot more of them here than we do at our other events,” said Marcos Garcia, vice president of USU LIFE, as he set up for the event.
A lot of allies did attend the event, including Becca Phillps and Amelia Browning.
“We love this theme,” both women said in unison when asked about the event.
Dressed as characters from the popular Nickelodeon show The Legend of Korra, both girls enjoyed dancing, food and the drag show.
“This event unites all of us and gets us out of our comfort zone a little while still allowing us to feel safe,” said Evan Anderson, also dressed as a character from the show Legend of Korra.
The apparel of the guests at the event wasn’t just limited to drag and Legend of Korra Cosplay though. Costumes ranged from Greek Gods to characters from popular ’90s shows to members of alternative genre bands.
“Seeing everyone here and having fun, it feels good. I’m glad I came,” Duckie said.
— shaniehoward214@gmail.com